About
An evergreen orchid which has 4-6 broadly oval, fleshy dark-green leaves which can grow to 25cm long and branching flower stems up to a height of 40cm bearing long-lasting, pale-pink flowers to 5cm across with a deep pink lip.
About the genus
Phalaenopsis are a large genus of species and hybrid mainly epiphytic orchids. Short, upward growing, stem-like rhizomes with no pseudobulbs produce oval, fleshy mid to dark green leaves and flowers in branched racemes from the base of the leaves
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesHouseplants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in open bark-based, epiphytic orchid compost allowing the aerial roots to hang outside. Provide bright filtered light, good ventilation and from spring to autumn mist daily for high humidity, water freely as compost dries out, allowing water to drain and apply an orchid fertiliser monthly. Provide a minimum day temperature of 17°C and night minimum of 15°C; See Phalaenopsis cultivation
PruningNo pruning required; cut back flowered stems to a lower node to encourage further flowers
PropagationSmall plantlets (keiki) may appear from the nodes on the flower stems. Detach plantlets when they have developed several good roots and pot them up in orchid compost. Water sparingly at first, but mist them daily
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free